US9537182B2 - Process and device for ensuring operational readiness of batteries - Google Patents

Process and device for ensuring operational readiness of batteries Download PDF

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US9537182B2
US9537182B2 US14/272,925 US201414272925A US9537182B2 US 9537182 B2 US9537182 B2 US 9537182B2 US 201414272925 A US201414272925 A US 201414272925A US 9537182 B2 US9537182 B2 US 9537182B2
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battery
storage element
marking
recorded
time
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Volker ALLGAIER
Andreas Isenmann
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Vega Grieshaber KG
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
    • H01M10/448—End of discharge regulating measures
    • G01R31/3627—
    • G01R31/3679—
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/36—Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
    • G01R31/385—Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/36—Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
    • G01R31/392—Determining battery ageing or deterioration, e.g. state of health
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/4285—Testing apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
    • H01M10/446—Initial charging measures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/46—Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/48—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R19/00—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
    • G01R19/165—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values
    • G01R19/16533—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values characterised by the application
    • G01R19/16538—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values characterised by the application in AC or DC supplies
    • G01R19/16542—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values characterised by the application in AC or DC supplies for batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/49004—Electrical device making including measuring or testing of device or component part

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process and device for ensuring operational readiness of batteries, a process for testing the operational readiness of a multitude of batteries, and a device for performing the procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of at least one battery. Further, the present invention relates to a field device, with at least one battery that feeds the field device with energy, which has a device for performing a procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of at least that one battery.
  • Li/CFX lithium-polycarbon-monofluoride
  • LiMnO 2 lithium-manganese oxide
  • LiJ 2 lithium iodide
  • Li/SOCl 2 lithium thionyl chloride
  • Lithium thionyl chloride cells with a voltage of between 3 and 3.9 volts, have the highest energy density and the highest voltage among all commercially available lithium battery types and have a life of 15 to 25 years. These cells are ideal for applications that require either a very low continuous current over a long period of time and/or a medium to high pulsed current. Due to their long life, these are ideally suited for application in products that have to be always ready for use at any time over a long period of time.
  • Lithium thionyl chloride cells are available in two forms that differ from each other in their mechanical construction.
  • the bobbin type has the lithium portion integrated with a small surface area.
  • spiral type cells the lithium is wrapped in the form of a thin foil and offers a distinctly larger surface area. This leads to two electrical differences.
  • Bobbin type cells have a larger nominal capacity but a smaller nominal current than spiral type cells.
  • Bobbin type lithium thionyl chloride cells are particularly suited for low current applications due to their high energy density, a very low self-discharging rate and a life of 15 to 20 years.
  • Bobbin type lithium thionyl chloride cells can supply energy in a temperature range of ⁇ 55° C. and +125° C. A high capacity, small size, and a substantial independence from pressure and temperature variations enable a versatile use of these cells.
  • Spiral type cells distinguish themselves by the fact that they can very quickly provide high pulsating currents of up to several amperes for a duration of seconds to 20 minutes.
  • lithium batteries A disadvantage of lithium batteries is that, during longer storage, they can build up what is known as an internal passivation layer around the anode or the cathode, which leads to a voltage break down when the battery is under load, since not enough free anode or cathode surface is available to provide a sufficiently high current at nominal voltage.
  • Lithium thionyl chloride batteries for example, build up an internal oxide layer during storage. This is the case particularly in spiral type cells. Due to this effect, the current load capacity of the batteries is minimized.
  • this passivation layer When a load is put on the battery, this passivation layer must first be broken down, which can lead to a drop in the battery voltage before the battery voltage stabilizes itself.
  • the passivation layer can be built up to such an extent that the battery initially does not deliver sufficient energy upon switching on the field device. This manifests itself in the fact that the supply voltage distinctly breaks down.
  • the passivation layer in the cell breaks down and the supply voltage returns to its original value only after a certain load with a certain minimum current.
  • the initial break down of the supply voltage can result in the fact that a field device does not function any more even though there is sufficient energy available in the battery.
  • the objective of the invention therefore is to provide a procedure with which the passivation of a lithium battery, particularly a lithium thionyl chloride battery of the spiral type, can be reliably detected in good time and eliminated without unnecessary consumption of too much of the energy available in the battery, so as to be able to ensure instant operability of the battery even after long storage.
  • This problem is solved by a process as described and claimed herein.
  • step c1 if step c1 is performed, d1) it is tested whether the battery is de-passivated.
  • step b includes the following procedural steps:
  • the process as described herein wherein, if the value of the first minimum voltage U min1 is greater that the first reference value U ref1 , the condition of the battery with a first marking is recorded in the storage element, whereby preferably also the point of time for the next test and/or the point of time of the first marking is recorded.
  • step c1 provides that a second current I B2 is drawn from the battery during a second duration T B2 .
  • step d1 provides the following procedural steps:
  • the process as described herein further comprising wherein, if the value of U min2 is equal to or greater than U ref2 , the condition of the battery is recorded with a second marking in the storage element, whereby optionally a second point of time with the date corresponding to the second marking is recorded, preferably in the storage element.
  • the process as described herein further comprising wherein, if the value of U min2 is less than that of U ref2 , the condition of the battery with a third marking is recorded in the storage element, whereby a third control signal is provided, which preferably triggers the marking of the battery with the third marking.
  • the process as described herein wherein the first control signal activates a first acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is passivated.
  • the process as described herein wherein the second control signal activates a second acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is de-passivated.
  • the process as described herein wherein the third control signal activates a third acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is unserviceable.
  • a process for testing the operational readiness of a multitude of batteries including the following steps:
  • a device for performing one or more of the processes described herein comprising a terminal for connecting of at least one battery, a testing device connected to the terminal for the detection of a passivation of the battery, as well a device unit connected to the testing device and the terminal for the de-passivation of the battery.
  • a field device with at least one battery feeding the field device with energy wherein at least one battery is connected to the device for performing the described process, as described immediately above, whereby that device has a timer with which the process can be performed in prescribed time intervals.
  • FIG. 1 is a flow chart evidencing an example of a typical procedural sequence for a test and if necessary a depassivation of a battery or a multitude of batteries.
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart evidencing a typical example of a battery check process.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart evidencing a typical example of a battery depassivation process.
  • FIG. 4 is a line drawing evidencing a battery testing device for ensuring the operational readiness of a battery.
  • the innovative procedure initially envisages that the battery is electrically connected to the testing device and is subsequently checked by the testing device as to whether the battery is passivated or not. This can take place, for example, in such a way, that current of a particular magnitude is drawn from the battery for a definite period of time, and the voltage that can be tapped at the battery is observed. If it turns out during this test that the battery is passivated, a procedure for depassivating the battery is performed. Such a depassivation can, for instance, be achieved by putting an electrical load on the battery for a certain duration. If it turns out that the battery is not passivated, then a time for the next check of the battery is scheduled.
  • the battery is checked again. This means that as soon as this point of time is reached, the battery is either again electrically connected to the testing device, or, if it is still connected to the testing device, it is tested whether or not it is passivated at this point of time.
  • This procedure ensures that the battery is operational at all times, even after longer intervals.
  • the time between two battery checks can be many days, weeks, months or years in this process. Thus, one can schedule whether the battery is checked in weekly, monthly, quarterly or half-yearly intervals or even in yearly intervals.
  • the interval between two checks can be determined by measuring the voltage on the battery during current drain and the time for the next check is scheduled depending on the measured or calculated value of the voltage.
  • the condition of the battery can, for instance, be stored in an electronically recordable storage element. This way, it can be determined at a later date whether the depassivation procedure, which depleted the battery of a certain amount of energy, has been performed or not. With that one can assess the amount of residual capacity still available in the battery.
  • the electronically recordable storage element preferably should not require any current supply for data retention. This way, the stored information remains in the storage element independent of the condition of the battery. Since no energy is required for data retention, no battery energy must be used for retention of this information.
  • the storage element is preferably taken from the group including, but not limited to, EPROM, an EEPROM, an FRAM or an RFID-tag.
  • the battery itself has an electronically recordable storage element. This way, simply by reading the electronically recordable storage element, one can immediately determine whether, and to what extent, the battery is operational.
  • a first current is drawn from the battery.
  • a first minimum voltage from the voltage tapped at the battery during the initial instance is determined. After this first minimum voltage is determined, it is compared with a first predetermined positive first reference value and a first control signal is provided for starting of the procedure for depassivation of the battery, if the value of the first minimum voltage is less than the first reference value.
  • the condition of the battery can, for instance, be recorded in a storage element with a first marking, whereby preferably also the point of time for the next check and/or the point of time of the first marking is recorded.
  • the battery is advantageously provided with a first marking only if the check of the battery has revealed that the battery is ok without a depassivation needing to be performed. Particularly advantageous is when a first marking already recorded in the storage element is overwritten or deleted if a depassivation has to be/had to be performed to make the battery operational again.
  • an advantageous procedure for the depassivation of the battery ensures that a second current is drawn from the battery for a second period of time.
  • a retest of the battery follows the procedure for depassivation of the battery, with which one can determine whether the battery is operational after the depassivation. For this purpose, a third current is drawn from the battery during a third period of time and a second minimum voltage that is tapped at the battery during the third period of time is determined. Then the predetermined minimum voltage, i.e. the second minimum voltage, is compared with a predetermined second positive reference value and, if the value of the second minimum voltage is equal to or greater than the second reference value, a second control signal is provided.
  • the condition of the battery with a second marking in a storage element is advantageously recorded, whereby, as a preferred option, a date corresponding to the point of time of the second marking is recorded. If a battery shows a second marking, it indicates that the battery has already been depassivated and is now operational.
  • a second marking is recorded in the storage element, so that from the number of second markings one can arrive at the amount of charge still remaining in the battery. Since a certain amount of charge is withdrawn from the battery during each depassivation, one can arrive at the amount of charge remaining in the battery from the number of depassivations.
  • the condition of the battery with a third marking is recorded in the storage element, whereby a third control signal, which preferably triggers the marking of the battery with the third marking, is preferably provided. In such a case the battery should be discarded as it is has become unserviceable.
  • the second current strength can be greater than the first current strength, whereby the second current strength is preferably at least ten times as high as I B1 .
  • the battery can, for instance, actually be short circuited for a very short time of advantageously between 100 ms and three to five seconds.
  • the depassivation can naturally also take place over a considerably longer time, a lower depassivation current should however be selected so as not to draw more charge from the battery as is necessary for depassivation.
  • the current for depassivation can be adjusted in such a way that it lies between 0.1 and 10 mA per cm 2 of anode surface area, preferably between 0.5 and 3 mA per cm 2 of anode surface area. If a longer depassivation time of, for instance, several minutes to several hours is acceptable, a lower charging current can be selected. Thus, a depassivation current of between 5 and 50 mA for a period of between five minutes and two hours can lead to a depassivation of the battery.
  • a first, second or third control signal can activate a corresponding acoustic and/or optical signal with which this condition can be notified:
  • the first control signal can, for instance, activate a first acoustic and/or first optical signal which notifies that the battery is passivated.
  • the second control signal can, for instance, activate a second acoustic and/or second optical signal which notifies that the battery is depassivated.
  • the third control signal can, for instance, activate a third acoustic and/or third optical signal which notifies that the battery is unserviceable.
  • a fourth acoustic and/or a fourth optical signal can notify that the battery is ok.
  • Lithium ion batteries are preferably tested according to the procedure described here.
  • the lithium ion battery being tested is preferably a lithium thionyl chloride battery or a lithium manganese dioxide battery. Even more preferably, the battery type involved is of the spiral type.
  • a multitude of batteries can also be checked for operational readiness with the procedure described. For this, firstly one battery is selected and checked whether the battery is marked unserviceable. If it is marked unserviceable, it is discarded. Otherwise a procedure for ensuring the functional readiness of a battery of the type already described can be performed. The battery is checked, as is described further down. When the testing and the depassivation, if required, is finished, the next battery is selected in so far as another battery is selectable. If another battery could be selected, it is again checked whether the battery now selected is marked as unserviceable. If no battery could be selected next, a point of time is scheduled for the start of the next check of batteries and as soon as this point of time is reached, the procedure for testing the operational readiness of a multitude of batteries is performed again.
  • the duration between two checks for operational readiness of a multitude of batteries lies advantageously between three months and about five years.
  • the duration is preferably selected depending on the load on the batteries during use in a device. For batteries that are continuously under use, a longer duration can be chosen; for batteries that are only used seldom and over short durations, but which must always be ready to use, a shorter duration should be chosen.
  • the procedure described for ensuring the operational readiness of a battery, or the procedure for testing the operational readiness of a multitude of batteries can therefore be performed preferably with an appropriate device which has a terminal for connecting at least one battery, as well as a testing device connected to the terminal for the detection of a passivation of the battery, as well as a device unit connected to the test device and the terminal for the depassivation of the battery or of a multitude of batteries.
  • a device in housed in a field device which has at least one battery that can supply the field device with energy, whereby at least that one battery is connected to the device for performing the procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of a battery or a multitude of batteries, and whereby the device preferably has a timer with which such a procedure can be performed at prescribed intervals.
  • a field device If a field device is not in use for a long time, and no current is drawn from the battery, or from the battery that feeds the field device, for a long time, due to the fact that a check of the battery voltage under load takes place in prescribed time intervals, and if necessary a depassivation is immediately triggered, it ensures that the battery or the multitude of batteries is or are always ready for use at all times.
  • the use of a procedure of the type described in a field device having at least one battery can therefore ensure the operational readiness of a field device fed with at least that one battery.
  • FIG. 1 shows a procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of one or more batteries.
  • the procedure is started, for instance, on starting block 100 by checking whether a battery is available in a first comparator 102 . If a battery is available, a check is performed in a second comparator 104 as to whether the battery is marked as unserviceable. If the battery is marked as unserviceable, it can be discarded.
  • next step in case the batteries have been marked as unserviceable, it is checked in a third comparator 106 as to whether another battery is available for testing. If this is the case, it switches over to the next switchover block 108 to the next battery to be tested.
  • the third comparator 106 is likewise checked as to whether another battery, which is possibly being held in another battery holder, is available for testing. If this is the case, it switches over to the next battery in the switchover block 108 and this is then tested.
  • test block 110 If the check in the second comparator 104 shows that the battery is not marked as unserviceable, it is tested in test block 110 whether the battery is depassivated or not. For this, a first current I B1 is drawn during a first duration T B1 and during which a first minimum voltage U min1 on the battery is determined.
  • the battery test 110 begins in starting block 110 a with the loading of the battery with a loading current I B1 during a time T B1 and a simultaneous monitoring of the voltage in block 110 b .
  • a first minimum voltage U min1 is determined in block 110 c from the voltage tapped during the time T B1 , recorded in block 110 d and read out.
  • the read out value U min1 is then, as can be seen if FIG. 1 , compared with a first predetermined reference value U ref1 in a fourth comparator 112 .
  • a first control signal 113 which starts the procedure for depassivation of the battery in the depassivation block 114 , is provided.
  • FIG. 3 shows schematically the sequence of the depassivation procedure: The procedure is triggered in starting block 114 a by the first control signal 113 .
  • the depassivation of the battery takes place by drawing a second current I B2 from the battery for a second duration T B2 in block 114 b .
  • T B2 ends, the end of the depassivation in block 114 c is displayed.
  • the battery can be marked with a mark which indicates that the battery is ok. In this case the test of the battery is over and it will be rechecked in the third comparator 106 whether another battery is available for testing.
  • a depassivation has to be performed in block 114 , it can be checked in test block 116 , adjoining the depassivation block 114 , whether the passivation was successful or not.
  • a third current I B3 is drawn from the battery during a third duration T B3 , a second minimum voltage U min2 determined from voltage tapped from the battery during the third duration T B3 and the second minimum value U min2 compared with a predetermined positive second reference value U ref2 in a fifth comparator 118 .
  • a second control signal 119 is provided.
  • the condition of the battery can then be recorded with a second marking in the data storage block 120 , whereby preferably in the same data storage block 120 a point of time corresponding to the date of the second marking is recorded.
  • a battery that has a second marking is a battery that is ready for use after a depassivation procedure.
  • the test of the battery is over and whether another battery is available for testing is checked in the third comparator 106 . If this is not the case, the end of the entire battery test is recorded in the timer block 122 and the timer is given a prescribed fixed duration delta t, according to which the timer in block 122 starts the next check procedure.
  • These predetermined durations can amount to many months.
  • the condition of the battery can be recorded with a third marking in a storage block 124 , whereby the third marking of the battery can be triggered by a third control signal 125 .
  • the storage block 124 can be identical to block 120 , but need not be so. In this case the battery is marked as unserviceable in block 124 .
  • Whether another battery is available for testing can subsequently be checked again in the third comparator 106 .
  • FIG. 4 shows a battery testing device 400 with a battery holder 402 for holding a battery that is to be tested, which is connected to a testing device 410 through an electrical connection 405 (the corresponding reference mark is missing in FIG. 4 !).
  • the testing device 410 can test the battery in the battery holder 402 as to whether the battery is passivated or not.
  • the testing device 410 in a preferred embodiment of the battery, can draw a first current I B1 during a first duration T B1 from the voltage tapped at the battery during the first duration T B1 and determine a minimum voltage U min1 and compare this minimum voltage U min1 with a prescribed positive reference value U ref1 .
  • the testing device 410 can provide the first control signal 113 through the connecting lead 413 for starting the procedure for depassivation of the battery in a device unit 414 .
  • the testing device 410 is electrically connected through the connecting lead 413 with the device unit 414 , which is a depassivation unit.
  • the device unit 414 starts the depassivation of the battery in the battery holder 402 .
  • the device unit 414 draws a second current I B2 during a second duration T B2 from the battery in the battery holder 402 . This procedure depassivates the battery.
  • the device unit 414 is further connected to a test unit 416 through an electrical connecting lead 415 . After the depassivation of the battery in the device unit 414 is complete, the test unit 416 checks whether the battery is actually depassivated or not.
  • the test unit 416 draws a third current I B3 during a third duration T B3 from the battery in the battery holder 402 , in doing so the minimum voltage U min2 tapped at the battery during the third duration T B3 is redetermined and subsequently the redetermined minimum voltage U min2 is compared with a predetermined positive second reference value U ref2 .
  • the second control signal 119 is provided through the connecting lead 419 .
  • the information that the battery is depassivated is recorded in the storage element 420 .
  • the testing unit 416 is electrically connected to storage element 420 through connecting lead 421 .
  • the testing unit 416 is further connected to a timer 422 through the connecting lead 419 . If the [second] control signal 119 is now sent to the timer through the connecting lead 419 , the battery test is completed. At the end of the battery test a point of time is scheduled in the timer 422 for the next battery test. When this point of time is reached, the timer 422 triggers the testing device 410 by way of a read-out unit 426 through the trigger lead 429 connected to the testing device 410 .
  • the read-out unit 426 can read the condition of the batteries in the battery holder 402 recorded in the storage element 420 through a connecting lead 431 , which is connected to the storage element 420 , and evaluate it for the next test.
  • this condition of the battery can be recorded with a first marking in the storage element 420 through the connecting lead 433 , whereby preferably the point of time for the next testing of the battery and/or the point of time of the first marking is predetermined and/or recorded. In this case, depassivation of the battery should not be performed. The testing of the battery is over. Only a point of time for the timer 422 for the next test of this battery is scheduled and transmitted to the timer 422 , as can be seen from the dotted line in FIG. 4 .
  • 16 cells were tested for passivation after a storage time of about one year. Each of the 16 cells was loaded with a resistance of 5.6 ohms and the voltage was measured. In eleven of the 16 cases, the voltage fell below the 3 volts quoted by the manufacturer. These cells showed voltages between 2.80 and 2.98 volts. The other five cells were slightly above the voltage limit with values between 3.01 and 3.04 volts. After loading the cells for one hour, whereby a current of 35 mA was drawn from the cells, only one of the 16 cells measured fell below the voltage limit of 3.0 volts. Thus, the depassivation of the other 10 cells was successful.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)

Abstract

The invention claims a process and device for ensuring the operational readiness of a battery in which the battery is first electrically connected with a testing device, and is then tested with the testing device to determine whether the battery is passivated. If the battery is passivated, a procedure for de-passivation of the battery is performed. If the battery is not passivated, a point in time for the next testing of the battery is scheduled.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
No federal government funds were used in researching or developing this invention.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application claims priority European Patent Application 13 168 337.7, filed on May 17, 2013.
NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
Not applicable.
SEQUENCE LISTING INCLUDED AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process and device for ensuring operational readiness of batteries, a process for testing the operational readiness of a multitude of batteries, and a device for performing the procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of at least one battery. Further, the present invention relates to a field device, with at least one battery that feeds the field device with energy, which has a device for performing a procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of at least that one battery.
Background of the Invention
The current state of knowledge is as follows.
Standard market batteries or chemical primary cells are now capable of safely feeding field devices even under ambient industrial conditions over several years. Due to their long life and partly very high energy density, lithium based batteries are of special interest. In the consumer sector for instance, one finds lithium-polycarbon-monofluoride (Li/CFX) cells and lithium-manganese oxide (LiMnO2) cells, which are used particularly in cameras, clocks and pocket calculators. In the industrial and medical sectors, lithium iodide (LiJ2) or lithium thionyl chloride (Li/SOCl2) batteries are often used.
Lithium thionyl chloride cells, with a voltage of between 3 and 3.9 volts, have the highest energy density and the highest voltage among all commercially available lithium battery types and have a life of 15 to 25 years. These cells are ideal for applications that require either a very low continuous current over a long period of time and/or a medium to high pulsed current. Due to their long life, these are ideally suited for application in products that have to be always ready for use at any time over a long period of time.
Lithium thionyl chloride cells are available in two forms that differ from each other in their mechanical construction. The bobbin type has the lithium portion integrated with a small surface area. In spiral type cells, the lithium is wrapped in the form of a thin foil and offers a distinctly larger surface area. This leads to two electrical differences. Bobbin type cells have a larger nominal capacity but a smaller nominal current than spiral type cells. Bobbin type lithium thionyl chloride cells are particularly suited for low current applications due to their high energy density, a very low self-discharging rate and a life of 15 to 20 years. Bobbin type lithium thionyl chloride cells can supply energy in a temperature range of −55° C. and +125° C. A high capacity, small size, and a substantial independence from pressure and temperature variations enable a versatile use of these cells.
Spiral type cells distinguish themselves by the fact that they can very quickly provide high pulsating currents of up to several amperes for a duration of seconds to 20 minutes.
A disadvantage of lithium batteries is that, during longer storage, they can build up what is known as an internal passivation layer around the anode or the cathode, which leads to a voltage break down when the battery is under load, since not enough free anode or cathode surface is available to provide a sufficiently high current at nominal voltage. Lithium thionyl chloride batteries, for example, build up an internal oxide layer during storage. This is the case particularly in spiral type cells. Due to this effect, the current load capacity of the batteries is minimized.
When a load is put on the battery, this passivation layer must first be broken down, which can lead to a drop in the battery voltage before the battery voltage stabilizes itself. In case of unfavorable storage conditions (e.g. temperatures of over 20° C. for a long period), the passivation layer can be built up to such an extent that the battery initially does not deliver sufficient energy upon switching on the field device. This manifests itself in the fact that the supply voltage distinctly breaks down. The passivation layer in the cell breaks down and the supply voltage returns to its original value only after a certain load with a certain minimum current.
The initial break down of the supply voltage can result in the fact that a field device does not function any more even though there is sufficient energy available in the battery.
The objective of the invention therefore is to provide a procedure with which the passivation of a lithium battery, particularly a lithium thionyl chloride battery of the spiral type, can be reliably detected in good time and eliminated without unnecessary consumption of too much of the energy available in the battery, so as to be able to ensure instant operability of the battery even after long storage. This problem is solved by a process as described and claimed herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment,
In a preferred embodiment, a process for securing the operational readiness of a battery, characterized in that,
    • the battery is electrically connected with a testing device,
    • the testing unit is used for testing whether the battery is passivated,
    • c1) if the battery is passivated, a procedure for de-passivation of the battery is performed,
    • c2) if the battery is not passivated, a point of time for the next testing of the battery is scheduled, and
    • d2) step a or b is performed again as soon as the point of time is reached.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein, if step c1 is performed, d1) it is tested whether the battery is de-passivated.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein the condition of the battery is recorded in an electronically writable storage element after either step b or after step d1 or after step d2.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein the storage element does not require any current supply for the data storage, and the storage element taken from the group including but not limited to: EPROM, EEPROM, FRAM or an RFID-tag.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein the battery has a storage element.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein step b includes the following procedural steps:
    • drawing of a first current IB1 from the battery during the first duration TB1,
    • determination of a first minimum voltage Umin1 from the voltage tapped at the battery during the first duration TB1,
    • comparing the first minimum voltage Umin1 with a prescribed positive first reference value Uref1, and
    • providing a first control signal for starting the procedure for de-passivation of the battery if the value of Umin1 is less than Uref1.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein, if the value of the first minimum voltage Umin1 is greater that the first reference value Uref1, the condition of the battery with a first marking is recorded in the storage element, whereby preferably also the point of time for the next test and/or the point of time of the first marking is recorded.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein step c1 provides that a second current IB2 is drawn from the battery during a second duration TB2.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein step d1 provides the following procedural steps:
    • drawing of a third current IB3 from the battery during a third duration TB3,
    • redetermination of a minimum voltage Umin2 from the voltage tapped at the battery during the third duration,
    • comparing the redetermined minimum voltage Umin2 with a predetermined reference value Uref2 and,
    • providing a second control signal if the value of Umin2 is equal to or greater than that of Uref2.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, further comprising wherein, if the value of Umin2 is equal to or greater than Uref2, the condition of the battery is recorded with a second marking in the storage element, whereby optionally a second point of time with the date corresponding to the second marking is recorded, preferably in the storage element.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, further comprising wherein, if the value of Umin2 is less than that of Uref2, the condition of the battery with a third marking is recorded in the storage element, whereby a third control signal is provided, which preferably triggers the marking of the battery with the third marking.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein the second current strength IB2 is less than the first current strength IB1, whereby IB1 preferably is at least ten times greater than IB2.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein the first control signal activates a first acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is passivated.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein the second control signal activates a second acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is de-passivated.
In another preferred embodiment, the process as described herein, wherein the third control signal activates a third acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is unserviceable.
A process for testing the operational readiness of a multitude of batteries, including the following steps:
    • A) Selecting a battery,
    • B) Checking whether the battery has been marked as unserviceable,
    • C) Discarding the battery if the battery has been marked as unserviceable, otherwise performing the process of Claim 1,
    • D) Selecting the next battery if a next battery is selectable and continuing the procedure with step B, otherwise with step E,
    • E) Scheduling a point in time for the start of the next test of the batteries and continuing the procedure with step A as soon as the point in time is reached.
In another preferred embodiment, a device for performing one or more of the processes described herein, comprising a terminal for connecting of at least one battery, a testing device connected to the terminal for the detection of a passivation of the battery, as well a device unit connected to the testing device and the terminal for the de-passivation of the battery.
In another preferred embodiment, a field device with at least one battery feeding the field device with energy, wherein at least one battery is connected to the device for performing the described process, as described immediately above, whereby that device has a timer with which the process can be performed in prescribed time intervals.
In another preferred embodiment, a method of use of one of the processes as described herein, further comprising a field device that has at least one battery for ensuring operational readiness of the field device supplied by at least that one battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flow chart evidencing an example of a typical procedural sequence for a test and if necessary a depassivation of a battery or a multitude of batteries.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart evidencing a typical example of a battery check process.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart evidencing a typical example of a battery depassivation process.
FIG. 4 is a line drawing evidencing a battery testing device for ensuring the operational readiness of a battery.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As long as not otherwise stated, the steps disclosed in this document are to be performed one after the other.
To be able to establish the operational readiness of a battery, the innovative procedure initially envisages that the battery is electrically connected to the testing device and is subsequently checked by the testing device as to whether the battery is passivated or not. This can take place, for example, in such a way, that current of a particular magnitude is drawn from the battery for a definite period of time, and the voltage that can be tapped at the battery is observed. If it turns out during this test that the battery is passivated, a procedure for depassivating the battery is performed. Such a depassivation can, for instance, be achieved by putting an electrical load on the battery for a certain duration. If it turns out that the battery is not passivated, then a time for the next check of the battery is scheduled. As soon as this is reached, the battery is checked again. This means that as soon as this point of time is reached, the battery is either again electrically connected to the testing device, or, if it is still connected to the testing device, it is tested whether or not it is passivated at this point of time.
An advantage of this procedure is that a depassivation of the battery takes place only if the battery was passivated before. Thus, an unnecessary depletion of energy available in the battery is avoided. On the other hand, this procedure ensures that the battery is operational at all times, even after longer intervals. The time between two battery checks can be many days, weeks, months or years in this process. Thus, one can schedule whether the battery is checked in weekly, monthly, quarterly or half-yearly intervals or even in yearly intervals. On the other hand, the interval between two checks can be determined by measuring the voltage on the battery during current drain and the time for the next check is scheduled depending on the measured or calculated value of the voltage.
If it was ascertained that the battery was passivated, and a procedure for depassivation of the battery has already been performed, one can check again or resolve in a preferred embodiment whether the battery is now depassivated or whether the depassivation of the battery was not successful.
If it turns out after performing the procedure for depassivation that the battery is now depassivated, the condition of the battery can, for instance, be stored in an electronically recordable storage element. This way, it can be determined at a later date whether the depassivation procedure, which depleted the battery of a certain amount of energy, has been performed or not. With that one can assess the amount of residual capacity still available in the battery.
On the other hand, if, after the depassivation of the battery, it turns out that the voltage of the battery does not reach a predetermined reference value, one can conclude that the battery is unserviceable. This battery condition can also be recorded, for example, in an electronically recordable storage element, so that it can be determined even at a later date that the battery is unserviceable and must be discarded.
If, during the check of the battery with the test device, it was found that the battery was not depassivated, this condition can also be recorded in an electronically recordable storage element. One can then immediately recognize that no depassivation needed to be performed and that the battery has not lost any energy due to a depassivation procedure.
The electronically recordable storage element preferably should not require any current supply for data retention. This way, the stored information remains in the storage element independent of the condition of the battery. Since no energy is required for data retention, no battery energy must be used for retention of this information. The storage element is preferably taken from the group including, but not limited to, EPROM, an EEPROM, an FRAM or an RFID-tag.
In a preferred embodiment, the battery itself has an electronically recordable storage element. This way, simply by reading the electronically recordable storage element, one can immediately determine whether, and to what extent, the battery is operational.
The procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of a battery for the testing of the battery with a device in a preferred embodiment requires that the following steps be performed:
To start, for the first duration, a first current is drawn from the battery. During this drawing, a first minimum voltage from the voltage tapped at the battery during the initial instance is determined. After this first minimum voltage is determined, it is compared with a first predetermined positive first reference value and a first control signal is provided for starting of the procedure for depassivation of the battery, if the value of the first minimum voltage is less than the first reference value.
If the value of the first minimum voltage is greater that the first reference value, the condition of the battery can, for instance, be recorded in a storage element with a first marking, whereby preferably also the point of time for the next check and/or the point of time of the first marking is recorded.
The battery is advantageously provided with a first marking only if the check of the battery has revealed that the battery is ok without a depassivation needing to be performed. Particularly advantageous is when a first marking already recorded in the storage element is overwritten or deleted if a depassivation has to be/had to be performed to make the battery operational again.
If, during the test, it turns out that the battery voltage is too low and/or that the battery is passivated, an advantageous procedure for the depassivation of the battery ensures that a second current is drawn from the battery for a second period of time.
Advantageously, a retest of the battery follows the procedure for depassivation of the battery, with which one can determine whether the battery is operational after the depassivation. For this purpose, a third current is drawn from the battery during a third period of time and a second minimum voltage that is tapped at the battery during the third period of time is determined. Then the predetermined minimum voltage, i.e. the second minimum voltage, is compared with a predetermined second positive reference value and, if the value of the second minimum voltage is equal to or greater than the second reference value, a second control signal is provided.
In doing so, the condition of the battery with a second marking in a storage element is advantageously recorded, whereby, as a preferred option, a date corresponding to the point of time of the second marking is recorded. If a battery shows a second marking, it indicates that the battery has already been depassivated and is now operational.
If several battery checks have taken place, a first marking of the battery which possibly still exists can be overwritten or deleted, particularly then if a depassivation was required.
Advantageously, every time a battery has been depassivated, a second marking is recorded in the storage element, so that from the number of second markings one can arrive at the amount of charge still remaining in the battery. Since a certain amount of charge is withdrawn from the battery during each depassivation, one can arrive at the amount of charge remaining in the battery from the number of depassivations.
After a depassivation, if it turns out that the value of the re-determined minimum voltage Umin2 is less than the predetermined positive second reference value Uref2, one can conclude that the depassivation was no longer successful. In this case, the condition of the battery with a third marking is recorded in the storage element, whereby a third control signal, which preferably triggers the marking of the battery with the third marking, is preferably provided. In such a case the battery should be discarded as it is has become unserviceable.
For the depassivation of the battery, the second current strength can be greater than the first current strength, whereby the second current strength is preferably at least ten times as high as IB1. To achieve an immediate depassivation of the battery, the battery can, for instance, actually be short circuited for a very short time of advantageously between 100 ms and three to five seconds. The depassivation can naturally also take place over a considerably longer time, a lower depassivation current should however be selected so as not to draw more charge from the battery as is necessary for depassivation.
Depending on the size of the battery, the current for depassivation can be adjusted in such a way that it lies between 0.1 and 10 mA per cm2 of anode surface area, preferably between 0.5 and 3 mA per cm2 of anode surface area. If a longer depassivation time of, for instance, several minutes to several hours is acceptable, a lower charging current can be selected. Thus, a depassivation current of between 5 and 50 mA for a period of between five minutes and two hours can lead to a depassivation of the battery.
To indicate whether a battery is ok, is passivated or is unserviceable, a first, second or third control signal can activate a corresponding acoustic and/or optical signal with which this condition can be notified:
The first control signal can, for instance, activate a first acoustic and/or first optical signal which notifies that the battery is passivated.
The second control signal can, for instance, activate a second acoustic and/or second optical signal which notifies that the battery is depassivated.
The third control signal can, for instance, activate a third acoustic and/or third optical signal which notifies that the battery is unserviceable.
If, for instance, it is found during the first testing that the battery is not passivated, a fourth acoustic and/or a fourth optical signal can notify that the battery is ok.
Lithium ion batteries are preferably tested according to the procedure described here. The lithium ion battery being tested is preferably a lithium thionyl chloride battery or a lithium manganese dioxide battery. Even more preferably, the battery type involved is of the spiral type.
A multitude of batteries can also be checked for operational readiness with the procedure described. For this, firstly one battery is selected and checked whether the battery is marked unserviceable. If it is marked unserviceable, it is discarded. Otherwise a procedure for ensuring the functional readiness of a battery of the type already described can be performed. The battery is checked, as is described further down. When the testing and the depassivation, if required, is finished, the next battery is selected in so far as another battery is selectable. If another battery could be selected, it is again checked whether the battery now selected is marked as unserviceable. If no battery could be selected next, a point of time is scheduled for the start of the next check of batteries and as soon as this point of time is reached, the procedure for testing the operational readiness of a multitude of batteries is performed again.
The duration between two checks for operational readiness of a multitude of batteries lies advantageously between three months and about five years. The duration is preferably selected depending on the load on the batteries during use in a device. For batteries that are continuously under use, a longer duration can be chosen; for batteries that are only used seldom and over short durations, but which must always be ready to use, a shorter duration should be chosen.
The procedure described for ensuring the operational readiness of a battery, or the procedure for testing the operational readiness of a multitude of batteries, can therefore be performed preferably with an appropriate device which has a terminal for connecting at least one battery, as well as a testing device connected to the terminal for the detection of a passivation of the battery, as well as a device unit connected to the test device and the terminal for the depassivation of the battery or of a multitude of batteries.
It particularly advantageous if such a device in housed in a field device which has at least one battery that can supply the field device with energy, whereby at least that one battery is connected to the device for performing the procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of a battery or a multitude of batteries, and whereby the device preferably has a timer with which such a procedure can be performed at prescribed intervals. Thus, in field devices that are seldom activated or need to be activated, and which are equipped with at least one battery that supplies the field device with energy, it can be ensured that the field device is ready for use anytime. If a field device is not in use for a long time, and no current is drawn from the battery, or from the battery that feeds the field device, for a long time, due to the fact that a check of the battery voltage under load takes place in prescribed time intervals, and if necessary a depassivation is immediately triggered, it ensures that the battery or the multitude of batteries is or are always ready for use at all times. The use of a procedure of the type described in a field device having at least one battery can therefore ensure the operational readiness of a field device fed with at least that one battery.
The terms “above,” “below,” “left” and “right” and other similar terms used in the subsequent description relate to the embodiment examples and should in no way be restricting, even when they relate to preferred embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 shows a procedure for ensuring the operational readiness of one or more batteries. The procedure is started, for instance, on starting block 100 by checking whether a battery is available in a first comparator 102. If a battery is available, a check is performed in a second comparator 104 as to whether the battery is marked as unserviceable. If the battery is marked as unserviceable, it can be discarded.
In the next step, in case the batteries have been marked as unserviceable, it is checked in a third comparator 106 as to whether another battery is available for testing. If this is the case, it switches over to the next switchover block 108 to the next battery to be tested.
If it is found that there is no battery available for testing in the first comparator 102, the third comparator 106 is likewise checked as to whether another battery, which is possibly being held in another battery holder, is available for testing. If this is the case, it switches over to the next battery in the switchover block 108 and this is then tested.
If the check in the second comparator 104 shows that the battery is not marked as unserviceable, it is tested in test block 110 whether the battery is depassivated or not. For this, a first current IB1 is drawn during a first duration TB1 and during which a first minimum voltage Umin1 on the battery is determined.
This sequence is shown schematically in FIG. 2: The battery test 110 begins in starting block 110 a with the loading of the battery with a loading current IB1 during a time TB1 and a simultaneous monitoring of the voltage in block 110 b. A first minimum voltage Umin1 is determined in block 110 c from the voltage tapped during the time TB1, recorded in block 110 d and read out. The read out value Umin1 is then, as can be seen if FIG. 1, compared with a first predetermined reference value Uref1 in a fourth comparator 112.
If the value of the first minimum voltage Umin1 is less than the predetermined positive first reference value Uref1, a first control signal 113, which starts the procedure for depassivation of the battery in the depassivation block 114, is provided.
FIG. 3 shows schematically the sequence of the depassivation procedure: The procedure is triggered in starting block 114 a by the first control signal 113. The depassivation of the battery takes place by drawing a second current IB2 from the battery for a second duration TB2 in block 114 b. When the second duration TB2 ends, the end of the depassivation in block 114 c is displayed.
If it was found in the fourth comparator that the value of the minimum voltage Uref1 is equal to or higher than the first reference value Uref1, the battery can be marked with a mark which indicates that the battery is ok. In this case the test of the battery is over and it will be rechecked in the third comparator 106 whether another battery is available for testing.
If a depassivation has to be performed in block 114, it can be checked in test block 116, adjoining the depassivation block 114, whether the passivation was successful or not. For this, a third current IB3 is drawn from the battery during a third duration TB3, a second minimum voltage Umin2 determined from voltage tapped from the battery during the third duration TB3 and the second minimum value Umin2 compared with a predetermined positive second reference value Uref2 in a fifth comparator 118.
If this check shows that the value of the second minimum voltage Umin2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined second reference value Uref2, a second control signal 119 is provided. The condition of the battery can then be recorded with a second marking in the data storage block 120, whereby preferably in the same data storage block 120 a point of time corresponding to the date of the second marking is recorded.
A battery that has a second marking is a battery that is ready for use after a depassivation procedure.
After the data is recorded in storage block 120, in this case the test of the battery is over and whether another battery is available for testing is checked in the third comparator 106. If this is not the case, the end of the entire battery test is recorded in the timer block 122 and the timer is given a prescribed fixed duration delta t, according to which the timer in block 122 starts the next check procedure. These predetermined durations can amount to many months.
If it was found in the fifth comparator 118, that the value of the redetermined minimum voltage Umin2 is less than the predetermined positive second reference value Uref2, the condition of the battery can be recorded with a third marking in a storage block 124, whereby the third marking of the battery can be triggered by a third control signal 125. In doing so, the storage block 124 can be identical to block 120, but need not be so. In this case the battery is marked as unserviceable in block 124.
Whether another battery is available for testing can subsequently be checked again in the third comparator 106.
FIG. 4 shows a battery testing device 400 with a battery holder 402 for holding a battery that is to be tested, which is connected to a testing device 410 through an electrical connection 405 (the corresponding reference mark is missing in FIG. 4!). The testing device 410 can test the battery in the battery holder 402 as to whether the battery is passivated or not.
For this, the testing device 410, in a preferred embodiment of the battery, can draw a first current IB1 during a first duration TB1 from the voltage tapped at the battery during the first duration TB1 and determine a minimum voltage Umin1 and compare this minimum voltage Umin1 with a prescribed positive reference value Uref1.
If the value of Umin1 is less than Uref1, the testing device 410 can provide the first control signal 113 through the connecting lead 413 for starting the procedure for depassivation of the battery in a device unit 414. For this, the testing device 410 is electrically connected through the connecting lead 413 with the device unit 414, which is a depassivation unit.
If the first control signal 113 is provided through the connecting lead 413, the device unit 414 starts the depassivation of the battery in the battery holder 402. For this purpose, it draws a second current IB2 during a second duration TB2 from the battery in the battery holder 402. This procedure depassivates the battery.
The device unit 414 is further connected to a test unit 416 through an electrical connecting lead 415. After the depassivation of the battery in the device unit 414 is complete, the test unit 416 checks whether the battery is actually depassivated or not.
In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the test unit 416 draws a third current IB3 during a third duration TB3 from the battery in the battery holder 402, in doing so the minimum voltage Umin2 tapped at the battery during the third duration TB3 is redetermined and subsequently the redetermined minimum voltage Umin2 is compared with a predetermined positive second reference value Uref2.
If the value of Umin2 is equal to or greater than Uref2, the second control signal 119 is provided through the connecting lead 419. At the same time, the information that the battery is depassivated is recorded in the storage element 420. For this, the testing unit 416 is electrically connected to storage element 420 through connecting lead 421.
The testing unit 416 is further connected to a timer 422 through the connecting lead 419. If the [second] control signal 119 is now sent to the timer through the connecting lead 419, the battery test is completed. At the end of the battery test a point of time is scheduled in the timer 422 for the next battery test. When this point of time is reached, the timer 422 triggers the testing device 410 by way of a read-out unit 426 through the trigger lead 429 connected to the testing device 410. The read-out unit 426 can read the condition of the batteries in the battery holder 402 recorded in the storage element 420 through a connecting lead 431, which is connected to the storage element 420, and evaluate it for the next test.
If the testing of the battery in the battery holder 402 in the testing device 410 shows that the value of the minimum voltage Umin1 is greater that the first reference value Uref1, this condition of the battery can be recorded with a first marking in the storage element 420 through the connecting lead 433, whereby preferably the point of time for the next testing of the battery and/or the point of time of the first marking is predetermined and/or recorded. In this case, depassivation of the battery should not be performed. The testing of the battery is over. Only a point of time for the timer 422 for the next test of this battery is scheduled and transmitted to the timer 422, as can be seen from the dotted line in FIG. 4.
In an experiment, 16 cells were tested for passivation after a storage time of about one year. Each of the 16 cells was loaded with a resistance of 5.6 ohms and the voltage was measured. In eleven of the 16 cases, the voltage fell below the 3 volts quoted by the manufacturer. These cells showed voltages between 2.80 and 2.98 volts. The other five cells were slightly above the voltage limit with values between 3.01 and 3.04 volts. After loading the cells for one hour, whereby a current of 35 mA was drawn from the cells, only one of the 16 cells measured fell below the voltage limit of 3.0 volts. Thus, the depassivation of the other 10 cells was successful.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
100 Starting block
102 First comparator
104 Second comparator
106 Third comparator
108 Switchover block
110 Test block
110 a Start battery test
110 b Load and voltage monitoring
110 c Calculation of Umin1
110 d End of battery test
112 Fourth comparator
113 First control signal
114 Depassivation block
114 a Start depassivation
114 b Battery loading
114 c End of depassivation
116 Testing block
118 Fifth comparator
119 Second control signal
120 Data storage block
122 Timer block
124 Storage block
125 Third control signal
400 Battery testing device
402 Battery holder
405 Connection
410 Testing device
413 Connection
414 Device unit
415 Connection
416 Test unit
419 Connection
420 Storage element
421 Connection
422 Timer
426 Read-out unit
429 Trigger lead
431 Connection
433 Connection
The references recited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety, particularly as they relate to teaching the level of ordinary skill in this art and for any disclosure necessary for the commoner understanding of the subject matter of the claimed invention. It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable Equivalents.

Claims (14)

We claim:
1. A process for securing the operational readiness of a battery, wherein,
a) the battery is electrically connected with a testing device,
b) a testing unit is used for testing whether the battery is passivated,
c1) if the battery is passivated, a procedure for de-passivation of the battery is performed,
c2) if the battery is not passivated, a point of time for the next testing of the battery is scheduled,
d1) if step c1) is performed, the battery is tested for de-passivation, and
d2) step a or b is performed again as soon as the point of time is reached and, if step c1 is performed, d1) it is tested whether the battery is de-passivated, and
wherein the condition of the battery is recorded in an electronically writable storage element after either step b or after step d1 or after step d2, the storage element does not require any current supply for the data storage, and the storage element taken from the group including but not limited to: EPROM, EEPROM, FRAM or an RFID-tag, and the battery has a storage element, and also whereby the point of time for the next check of the battery is recorded.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein step b includes the following procedural steps:
drawing of a first current IB1 from the battery during a first duration TB1,
determination of a first minimum voltage Umin1 from the voltage tapped at the battery during a first duration TB1,
comparing the first minimum voltage Umin1 with a prescribed positive first reference value Uref1, and
providing a first control signal for starting the procedure for de-passivation of the battery if the value of Umin1 is less than Uref1.
3. The process of claim 2, wherein, if the value of the first minimum voltage Umin1 is greater that the first reference value Uref1, the condition of the battery with a first marking is recorded in the storage element, whereby preferably also the point of time for the next test and/or the point of time of the first marking is recorded.
4. The process of claim 2, wherein the first control signal activates a first acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is passivated.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein step c1 provides that a second current IB2 is drawn from the battery during a second duration TB2.
6. The process of claim 5, wherein the second current strength IB2 is less than the first current strength IB1, whereby IB1 preferably is at least ten times greater than IB2.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein step d1 provides the following procedural steps:
drawing of a third current IB3 from the battery during a third duration TB3,
redetermination of a minimum voltage Umin2 from the voltage tapped at the battery during the third duration,
comparing the redetermined minimum voltage Umin2 with a predetermined reference value Uref2 and,
providing a second control signal if the value of Umin2 is equal to or greater than that of Uref2.
8. The process of claim 7, further comprising wherein, if the value of Umin2 is equal to or greater than Uref2, the condition of the battery is recorded with a second marking in the storage element, whereby optionally a second point of time with the date corresponding to the second marking is recorded, preferably in the storage element.
9. The process of claim 7, further comprising wherein, if the value of Umin2 is less than that of Uref2, the condition of the battery with a third marking is recorded in the storage element, whereby a third control signal is provided, which preferably triggers the marking of the battery with the third marking.
10. The process of claim 9, wherein the third control signal activates a third acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is unserviceable.
11. The process of claim 7, wherein the second control signal activates a second acoustic and/or optical signal which indicates that the battery is de-passivated.
12. A device for performing the process of claim 1, comprising a terminal for connecting of at least one battery, a testing device connected to the terminal for detection of a passivation of the battery, as well a device unit connected to the testing device and the terminal for de-passivation of the battery.
13. A field device comprising at least one battery feeding the field device with energy, wherein at least one battery is connected to the device of claim 12, whereby the field device has a timer with which the process of claim 1 can be performed in prescribed time intervals.
14. (Previously provided) A method of use of the field device of claim 13, wherein such device is used to complete the process of claim 1.
US14/272,925 2013-05-17 2014-05-08 Process and device for ensuring operational readiness of batteries Expired - Fee Related US9537182B2 (en)

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